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Setbacks for the injured Nix, Stutes, Herndon

Setbacks for the injured Nix, Stutes, Herndon

PHILADELPHIA -- Most of the news has been bad lately for the Phillies, and Tuesday followed form.

Though Roy Halladay, Chase Utley and Ryan Howard continue to progress from their injuries, the same can't be said of Laynce Nix, Mike Stutes and David Herndon.

Following is what general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. had to report about his injured players:

 Halladay (strained right latissimus dorsi): Amaro said Halladay "is symptom-free in his throwing program, which is great. It's a good piece of news."

 Utley (chondromalacia in left knee): There is a possibility that Utley could be back in the lineup before he exhausts the full 20 days of his rehab assignment. If he uses the full 20 days, he would be back no later than July 2. Utley planned to serve as designated hitter on Tuesday with Class A Clearwater. He played second base on Monday and reportedly felt fine afterward.

 Howard (surgery on left Achilles): Howard is playing in the field in simulated games, and even made a diving catch on Monday. He also is starting to run the bases.

"Hopefully, we can get him in a rehab game in the next couple of weeks," Amaro said.

 Nix (strained left calf): Nix was dealt a setback on Tuesday when he felt a pull in the calf while running the bases. Amaro said that Nix is going to have another MRI to check for further damage.

 Stutes (inflammation in right shoulder): Stutes visited orthopedist Dr. Lewis Yocum on Monday. Yocum, Phillies physician Michael Ciccotti and Mets physican David Altchek are going to confer and see what is next.

"He hasn't really progressed as we would have liked," Amaro said. "There may be a possibility of going in there and doing some type of exploratory surgery to see what's going on in there."

 Herndon (right elbow): Herndon visited orthopedist Dr. James Andrews on Monday, and on Tuesday he underwent Tommy John surgery.

"It's a pretty big blow to the kid and to us, obviously," Amaro said.

 Justin De Fratus (sprained right elbow): De Fratus is going to throw off the mound on Thursday.
"He has been feeling great," Amaro said.